How to Use More Than One Paint Color in a Room

Whether you want the contrast to be bold or subtle, there are tricks to follow

Each week Mansion Global tackles an interior design topic with an elite group of designers from around the world who work on luxury properties. This week we lookat how to incorporate two colors of paint in the same room.

Sticking with the same paint color throughout a room is expected, but why not dress your walls in more than one color?

“The immediate effect of using two paint colors within the same room is one of visual interest,” says Ellen O’Neill, Benjamin Moore director of strategic design intelligence.

“Color combinations in a room are another gesture of artistry and design and can help tie in or accentuate the room’s entire color palette created by art, textiles and accessories. Pairing colors is a fascinating exercise and with each new partner, color takes on a new identity,” Ms. O’Neill says.

To make your walls come alive, take your color cues from these pro tips.

“Color combinations do not necessarily have to come from the same color family. Bold, contrasting combinations will draw the eye immediately, so I would use these to spotlight unique features in a room, such as ornamental carving in a fireplace mantel, moldings around windows and doors, or raised paneling. Softer, more monochromatic combinations can be just as effective. I just scouted a location that had four shades of gray on the window moldings.

"I just saw a red lacquered floor with a painted black border in a townhouse library that said it all.

"There is an art to assigning the right ratios when applying color to a space—you wouldn’t want the room to look like a patchwork quilt. A safe formula is 70% for the walls, 20% for trim, and 10% for an accent color.

"When it comes to wainscoting, or using two colors on the same wall, I would always paint the lower portion of the wall in the darker color. This technique was originally designed to hide scuffs from foot traffic and furniture. Darker shades on the lower area of the wall also ground the space; lighter shades at the top elevate the sense of space.”

A tone-toned foyer is anchored by a darker hue closer to the floor. Photography Courtesy of Behr

“The proper use of two paint colors in one room can add subtle elegance or impactful visual contrasts to a room’s overall feel. The colors do not have to come from the same family.

"If the intent is to highlight a wall to create a feature, this might be an area you choose to do a different color. It’s likely to be the first thing your eyes go toward when you walk in the room, so take proper care in selecting the tone."Then you may want to highlight an architectural feature. Color can also be used to anchor a large piece of furniture, such as a bed in a bedroom. And give some love to your trim and doors. Painting out baseboards, casings and doors in a strong color provides high style.

This white foyer has a graphic pop by way of black trim and detailing on the walls and door. Photography Courtesy of Benjamin Moore

"I always like to remind people of the fifth wall, the ceiling, because it’s unfortunately often forgotten. This can be a great place for an accent color. A brighter tone will expand the space, and a darker one will bring it in."There is a 60-30-10 color rule when it comes to design: 60% of the room (including its painted surfaces and décor) represents your dominant color choice; 30% is applied to a secondary color; 10% is for the accent color. Color theory suggests using a tint as the dominant color in the room, a toned color as the secondary color, with your accent color being the most vibrant and pure hue of the three.However, I say rules are meant to be broken. If you feel a room needs more of a certain hue, follow your heart.

"Finishes are key. My recommendation for our clients at my interior design boutique always includes using a washable matte for the walls and ceilings, and satin for all doors and trim. This delicate distinction makes a sizable difference.”

“Lighter colors will give the illusion of space and darker colors will make the room feel smaller and cozier. Using monochromatic colors—shades from the same color family—creates a subdued, immersive effect. For a neutral option, paint the bottom half of the wall a dark gray and the top half a cooler shade. For a pairing that’s both balanced and bold, use cherry red alongside a softer, more delicate shade.

"Also, try playing with opposite sides of the color wheel, like blues and oranges, for an unexpected combination. Colors next to each other on the color wheel, such as greens and blues or reds and oranges, will create an enriching effect.

When selecting two colors for one room, it is important to choose one that is a white or more neutral in color as not to compete or fight with the accent color.

"If someone is interested in two tones, I generally suggest painting an accent wall or using another color on the ceiling as a ‘fifth wall.’

"Although creating two horizontal sections is the most common approach, vertical sections and geometric color blocks are other methods to explore. If you want a more modern approach, disregard traditional moldings and paint a geometric shape across the entire wall. If you have very high ceilings, you can paint the ceiling in an accent color, bringing the line down the wall about a foot to give the effect of faux crown molding.

An accent wall is even more interesting thanks geometric shape in gradations of neutral shades and a pop of peach. Photography Courtesy of Behr

"The walls don’t necessarily have to be split in half. An uneven split can add even more dimension. You might add a small strip of color to the top half to create the illusion of height or add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral room by painting a horizontal section in the middle of the wall.

"For a different take on the two-toned approach, create contrast using similar colors in different sheens, like matte paired with high-gloss.”